Orchid U >> Past Issues Orchid RX
Volume I, Issue 4
December 8, 2005
www.orchidsupplies.net



Show Me the Light As the days get shorter and shorter, your orchid requires more and more light. How do you increase light levels when natural light is out of our control? Sounds complicated, but it's simple. Just follow these easy to do tasks and your orchid will thank you! First, start off with some winter cleaning. Yes that's right, clean your windows. Just by cleaning yours windows you can increase the natural light's intensity. Next, your orchid should be on a light colored surface. Have you ever sat on a dark-colored park bench after it baked in the suns rays? If you have you know that it can get pretty hot. On the other hand, have you ever sat on a white park bench after it baked in the suns rays? The white bench is not near as hot as the dark-colored bench. The reason the darker bench is so hot is because it absorbs the suns rays. The white bench reflects the suns rays. The surface, which your orchid sits, acts the same way as the bench. The bottom line is that a lighter surface will reflect more natural light back onto the plant when compared to a darker surface. This can even be done by using lighter colored pebbles in your humidity tray. Remember, just because the days are
getting shorter, doesn't mean your orchid needs less light.



Tip of the Month Remember, as daylight shortens, orchids will stop actively growing. So what does this mean for you? Most importantly you want to make sure you are cutting back slightly on your water. The plant does not require as much water when it is not actively growing. Also, you want to make sure you are using bloom formula fertilizer, as this is the time when most orchids will bloom or set bud when growing indoors.



Question of the Month Question: Can I clean the leaves on my orchid with Pokon, or do you recommend another type of leafshine? Answer: This question brings up one of my favorite tricks. To answer the question, no, you do not want to use any commercially produced leafshine. The leafshine will actually clog the stomas (pores) on the leaf and you will slowly kill your
orchid. The solution is simple, Lemon. Use a slice of fresh lemon to wipe down your orchid leaves. You will see immediate results without harming your orchid. Orchid leaves have a lot of stored carbohydrates in their leaves. The acidity of the lemon and the carbohydrates in the leaves neutralize each other, resulting in a healthy orchid plant with clean leaves.

 


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